Life after Red Bull - what Brendon Hartley did next

Sebastian Vettel is living proof that Red Bull's junior programme can produce a world champion, but what about those that are spat out of the system before having the chance to realise their potential? Glenn Freeman spoke to one such driver, Brendon Hartley

Sebastian Vettel is the star student of Red Bull's young driver programme. If the Helmut Marko-run scheme had a school building, the 2010 world champion's picture would take pride of place above the entrance, and every new recruit would be told: "That could be you."

But what about when it doesn't work out? Let's face it, the Red Bull programme has kicked more drivers to the kerb than it has propelled to Formula 1, but that's how it should be. Earning a place at the top table should be just that – earned, so it's natural that a scheme that has had a wide-ranging roster over the years has had to let a fair few drivers go.